Mental Health Act 1996

Western Australia Mental Health Act 1996 STATUS OF THIS DOCUMENT This is not an official version. The notes at the end of this document show the amendments that are included. It is printed from an electronic database of legislation maintained by the Parliamentary Counsel s Office of Western Australia and updated on a weekly basis. Although the database has been carefully established and maintained its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. DISCLAIMER Accordingly (a) (b) no warranty is given that it is free from error or omission nor as to the accuracy of any information in it; and the State of Western Australia and its servants expressly disclaim liability for any act or omission done in reliance on the document or for any consequences of any such act or omission. COPYRIGHT Copyright in this document is reserved to the Crown in right of the State of Western Australia. Reproduction except in accordance with copyright law with the consent of the Attorney General is prohibited. THE TEXT OF THE LEGISLATION FOLLOWS

Western Australia Mental Health Act 1996 CONTENTS Part 1 Preliminary 1. Short title 2 2. Commencement 2 3. Definitions 2 4. Meaning of mental illness 5 5. Objects of Act 6 6. Objectives of persons performing certain functions 6 Part 2 Administrative provisions Division 1 The Minister 7. Functions of the Minister 7 Division 2 The Chief Psychiatrist 8. Chief Psychiatrist 8 9. Responsibilities of Chief Psychiatrist for psychiatric care 8 10. Other functions of Chief Psychiatrist 8 11. Chief Psychiatrist subject to Commissioner 9 12. Directions as to treatment 9 13. Powers of inspection 10 14. Offences 11 page i

15. Chief Psychiatrist may order that patient be allowed to be visited 12 16. Delegation by Chief Psychiatrist 12 Division 3 Psychiatrists and authorized practitioners 17. Register of psychiatrists 13 18. Authorized medical practitioners 13 19. Mental health practitioners 14 20. Authorized mental health practitioners 15 Division 4 Authorized hospitals 21. Authorization of hospitals 16 Division 5 The Registrar 22. Registrar and staff of Board 16 23. President may give Registrar directions 16 24. Functions of Registrar 17 25. Delegation to Registrar 17 Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 1 Becoming an involuntary patient 26. Persons who should be involuntary patients 18 27. Application to mentally impaired defendants 19 28. Definition 19 29. Referral for examination by a psychiatrist 19 30. Referral of voluntary patients in certain circumstances 19 31. No referral without personal examination 20 32. Time limit 21 33. Form of referral 21 34. Police assistance 21 35. Operation of transport order 22 36. Detention for examination 23 37. Choices upon examination 23 38. Time limit 24 39. Choices upon examination 24 40. Reception into hospital 24 41. Police assistance 25 page ii

42. Operation of transport order 25 43. Order giving involuntary status 26 44. Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board to be notified in certain cases 26 Division 2 Detention in authorized hospital 45. Hospital in which a person is to be detained 27 46. Transfer 27 47. Person in charge of hospital may decline to accept 27 48. Initial period 28 49. Examination within 28 days 28 50. Subsequent examinations within 6 months 29 51. Effect of order continuing detention 29 52. Order for release may be made at any time 30 53. Saving 30 54. Release when period of detention ends 30 55. When person to be returned to custody 30 56. Examination of prisoner about to be discharged 31 57. Absence without leave 31 58. Apprehension of person absent without leave 32 59. Grant of leave 33 60. Cancellation of leave 34 61. Status of patient on leave of absence 34 62. Monitoring of patient on leave 34 63. Release on advice of practitioner while patient on leave 35 64. Saving 35 Division 3 Treatment of involuntary patient in the community 65. No detention without consideration of community treatment 35 66. When a community treatment order may be made 36 67. General power to make a community treatment order 36 68. Terms of community treatment order 36 69. Order to be confirmed 37 70. Revocation of a community treatment order 38 page iii

71. Police assistance 38 72. Carrying out of transport order 39 73. Duration of community treatment order 39 74. The supervising psychiatrist 40 75. Review by supervising psychiatrist 40 76. Extension of community treatment order 40 77. Supervising psychiatrist may act on authorized medical practitioner s report 41 78. Person may be discharged from involuntary status 42 79. Variation of order 42 80. What constitutes breach of order 42 81. Action following breach 43 82. Action where breach continues 43 83. Treatment may be given without consent 44 84. Police assistance 44 85. Power of revocation not affected 44 Part 4 Interstate movements 86. Definitions 45 87. Agreements 45 88. Best interests of person to be considered 45 89. Persons apprehended 46 90. Referral for examination 46 91. Transfer to another jurisdiction 46 Part 5 Treatment of patients Division 1 General 92. Definitions 47 93. Treatment of persons on remand 47 94. Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board to be notified of treatment of mentally impaired defendant 47 Division 2 Informed consent 95. Requirements for informed consent 48 96. Capacity to give informed consent 48 page iv

97. Explanation to be given 48 98. Sufficient time to be given 49 Division 3 Prohibited treatment 99. Offence to administer certain treatment 49 Division 4 Psychosurgery 100. Meaning of psychosurgery 50 101. Prerequisites to psychosurgery 50 102. Applications for approval to perform psychosurgery 51 103. Board must satisfy itself of certain matters 51 Division 5 Electroconvulsive therapy 104. Prerequisites 52 105. Matters for consideration by psychiatrist 52 106. Reference to Board 53 107. Informed consent required 53 Division 6 Other treatment, involuntary patients and mentally impaired defendants 108. Meaning of psychiatric treatment in this Division 54 109. Consent not required for psychiatric treatment 54 110. Medical treatment may be approved by the Chief Psychiatrist 54 111. Opinion of another psychiatrist may be requested 55 112. Further remedy where person dissatisfied 55 Division 7 Emergency psychiatric treatment 113. Definition 56 114. Consent or approval dispensed with 56 115. Duties of person giving emergency treatment 57 Division 8 Seclusion of patients 116. Definition 57 117. Seclusion only allowed at authorized hospital 57 118. Seclusion must be authorized 58 119. Giving of authorization 58 120. Special duties where patient kept in seclusion 59 Division 9 Mechanical bodily restraint 121. Definition 59 page v

122. Mechanical bodily restraint must be authorized 59 123. Giving of authorization 60 124. Use of restraint to be reported to Board 60 Part 6 Mental Health Review Board Division 1 Establishment and administration 125. Establishment of Mental Health Review Board 61 126. Members of Board 61 127. Panel for psychosurgery matters 61 128. Certain provisions concerning members 62 129. Constitution of Board, general functions 62 130. Constitution of Board, psychosurgical matters 63 131. Concurrent sittings 63 132. Meetings 64 133. Telephone and video meetings 64 134. Resolution may be passed without meeting 65 135. Proceedings before Board 65 136. Public access to Board s records 65 Division 2 Reviews and enquiries 137. Matters to be considered upon review 65 138. Initial review 65 139. Periodic reviews 66 140. Determination of whether person has been continuously an involuntary patient 66 141. Time of review may be extended in certain cases 66 142. Application for review by Mental Health Review Board 67 143. Order may be suspended pending review 68 144. Review by Board of its own motion 68 145. Powers on carrying out review 68 146. Complaints 69 147. Enquiries directed by Minister 69 148. Reports to Minister 69 Division 3 Appeal from, or case stated by, Board 149. Appeal 69 page vi

150. Grounds of appeal 70 151. Time for appeal 70 152. Person to whom order relates to be legally represented 70 153. Operation of order or decision pending appeal 71 154. Powers of Court 71 155. Case stated 71 Part 7 Protection of patients rights Division 1 Patients rights generally 156. Explanation of rights to be given 72 157. Copy of explanation to be given to another person 72 158. Responsibility for giving explanation etc. 73 159. Affected person to be given copy of order 73 160. Access to personal records 74 161. Exceptions to section 160 75 162. Offence of ill-treatment 75 Division 2 Further rights of in-patients 163. Definition 76 164. Patient to be afforded interview 76 165. Personal possessions 76 166. Letters of patients and other postal articles 77 167. Access to telephone 77 168. Visitors 78 169. Restriction or denial of entitlement 78 170. Application to Board 78 171. Restriction or denial of right to be reported on review 79 Part 8 Community support services 172. Definitions 80 173. Power of Commissioner to allocate funds 80 174. Funding and services agreements 80 Part 9 Council of Official Visitors page vii

Division 1 Administrative and procedural provisions 175. Definitions 82 176. Establishment of Council of Official Visitors 82 177. Members of Council of Official Visitors 83 178. Disqualification 83 179. Term of office 83 180. Remuneration and allowances 84 181. Meetings 84 182. Executive officer and other staff 84 183. Minutes to be kept 85 184. Public access to Council s records 85 185. Delegation 85 Division 2 Functions 186. Functions of the Council of Official Visitors 85 187. Panels 86 188. Functions of an official visitor 86 189. Request for visit 87 190. Powers of an official visitor 87 191. Offences 88 192. Reports 88 Part 10 Miscellaneous Division 1 Restrictions on authority of practitioners 193. Interpretation 90 194. When practitioner not to act 91 Division 2 Police powers 195. Taking mentally ill person into protective custody 91 196. Police officer may have arrested person examined 92 197. Further powers of police when apprehending 92 198. What may be seized under section 197 93 199. Disposal of things seized 93 200. Use of reasonable force 93 Division 3 Capacity to vote 201. Determination of capacity to vote 94 202. Chief Psychiatrist to notify Electoral Commissioner 94 page viii

203. Application to Board 95 Division 4 Records and information 204. Records 95 205. Access to certain information about patient 96 206. Confidentiality 96 Division 5 Inquiries 207. Minister may appoint person to inquire 97 208. Powers of person conducting inquiry 97 209. How inquiry to be conducted 98 210. Offences in relation to inquiry 98 Division 6 General 211. Offence of obstructing the performance of functions 99 212. Amendment of certain documents 99 213. Protection from liability 100 214. Regulations 101 215. Review 101 Schedule 1 Schedule 2 Schedule 3 Notes Compilation table page ix

Western Australia Mental Health Act 1996 An Act to provide for the care, treatment, and protection of persons who have mental illnesses, and for related purposes. [Assented to 13 November 1996] The Parliament of Western Australia enacts as follows: page 1

Part 1 Preliminary s. 1 1. Short title Part 1 Preliminary This Act may be cited as the Mental Health Act 1996. 2. Commencement (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act comes into operation on such day as is fixed by proclamation. (2) If this Act has not come into operation under subsection (1) before the first anniversary of the day on which it receives the Royal Assent, it comes into operation on that anniversary. 3. Definitions In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears authorized hospital means (a) a public hospital, or part of a public hospital, that is for the time being authorized under section 21; and (b) a private hospital whose licence is endorsed under section 26DA of the Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927; authorized mental health practitioner means a person designated under section 20 as an authorized mental health practitioner; authorized medical practitioner means a person designated under section 18 as an authorized medical practitioner; Board means the Mental Health Review Board; Chief Psychiatrist has the meaning given by section 8; Commissioner means the Commissioner of Health appointed under the Public Sector Management Act 1994; community, in relation to a person who is confined within a restricted community, is a reference to that restricted community; page 2

Preliminary Part 1 s. 3 community treatment order means an order of the kind provided for by Division 3 of Part 3; Council of Official Visitors means the Council of Official Visitors established under section 176; department means the department of the Public Service principally assisting the Minister in the administration of this Act; document includes any means of storing or recording information; hospital means a public hospital or private hospital; inspect, in relation to a document, includes to have the use of any process reasonably required for the purpose of viewing, hearing, or otherwise obtaining the information in the document; involuntary patient means a person who is for the time being the subject of (a) an order under section 43 (2) (a), 49 (3) (a), 50 or 70 (1) for detention of the person in an authorized hospital as an involuntary patient; or (b) a community treatment order; legal practitioner means a practitioner as defined in the Legal Practitioners Act 1893; medical practitioner has the same meaning as in the Medical Act 1894; mental health practitioner has the meaning given by section 19; Mental Health Review Board means the board established by section 125; mental illness has the meaning given by section 4; mentally impaired defendant has the same meaning as in Part 5 of the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Defendants) Act 1996; page 3

Part 1 Preliminary s. 3 Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board means the Board established under Part 6 of the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Defendants) Act 1996; official visitor means a member of the Council of Official Visitors; patient means a person receiving psychiatric treatment; President means president of the Mental Health Review Board; prison has the same meaning as in the Prisons Act 1981; private hospital means premises at which a person is licensed under the Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927 to conduct a private hospital; psychiatrist means a medical practitioner whose name is contained in a register of psychiatrists prepared and maintained under section 17 by the Medical Board; psychiatric treatment means treatment for mental illness; psychologist means a person who is a registered psychologist within the meaning given to that expression in the Psychologists Registration Act 1976; public hospital means premises that are a public hospital as defined in the Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927; Registrar means the Registrar of the Board appointed in accordance with section 22; relative means spouse, parent, grandparent, child, sibling, uncle, or aunt, whether by the whole or half-blood or marriage or a relationship established by written law; senior mental health practitioner means a mental health practitioner with at least 5 years experience in the treatment of persons who have mental illnesses; spouse in relation to a person includes a person who, although not legally married to the person, lives with the person as if they were married; page 4

Preliminary Part 1 s. 4 superintendent has, in relation to a prison, the same meaning as in the Prisons Act 1981; supervising psychiatrist means the psychiatrist responsible for supervising the carrying out of a community treatment order; treating practitioner means the medical practitioner or mental health practitioner responsible for ensuring that the treatment plan specified in a community treatment order is carried out; treating psychiatrist, in relation to a patient, means the psychiatrist for the time being in charge of the treatment of the patient; treatment in the community means treatment other than as an in-patient of a hospital. 4. Meaning of mental illness (1) For the purposes of this Act a person has a mental illness if the person suffers from a disturbance of thought, mood, volition, perception, orientation or memory that impairs judgment or behaviour to a significant extent. (2) However a person does not have a mental illness by reason only of one or more of the following, that is, that the person (a) holds, or refuses to hold, a particular religious, philosophical, or political belief or opinion; (b) is sexually promiscuous, or has a particular sexual preference; (c) engages in immoral or indecent conduct; (d) has an intellectual disability; (e) takes drugs or alcohol; (f) demonstrates anti-social behaviour. page 5

Part 1 Preliminary s. 5 5. Objects of Act The objects of this Act include (a) to ensure that persons having a mental illness receive the best care and treatment with the least restriction of their freedom and the least interference with their rights and dignity; (b) to ensure the proper protection of patients as well as the public; and (c) to minimize the adverse effects of mental illness on family life. 6. Objectives of persons performing certain functions (1) This section applies to (a) the Minister in relation to the performance of his or her functions under this Act; (b) any officer of the department performing any function, under this Act or otherwise, in relation to the care or treatment of persons who have mental illnesses; and (c) any other person performing a function under this Act. (2) A person to whom this section applies is to seek to ensure that the objects of this Act are achieved so far as it is relevant to the performance of his or her functions under this Act. page 6

Administrative provisions Part 2 The Minister Division 1 s. 7 Part 2 Administrative provisions 7. Functions of the Minister Division 1 The Minister It is a function of the Minister (a) to promote the development and co-ordination of services for the care and treatment of persons who have mental illnesses; (b) to promote the integration of, and co-operation between, health and welfare services at State, regional, and local levels; (c) to encourage the development within the community of services emphasizing (i) the prevention of mental illness; and (ii) the early detection and treatment of mental illness; (d) to promote the development of voluntary and self-help groups and other community agencies for assisting persons who have mental illnesses and their families; (e) to encourage the carrying out of research into mental illnesses; (f) to ensure that the special needs and views of groups within the community are sought by consultation with particular reference to (i) persons who have or have had mental illnesses; (ii) groups and agencies referred to in paragraph (d); and (iii) ethnic groups; (g) to ensure that services for the treatment and care of persons having a mental illness are comprehensive, readily accessible, and sensitive to cultural diversity; page 7

Part 2 Administrative provisions Division 2 The Chief Psychiatrist s. 8 (h) (i) (j) to promote high standards of education and training for, and accountability of, persons providing care to persons who have mental illnesses; to ensure that information about mental health and mental illness is made available and to promote public awareness about mental health and mental illness; and to encourage the development of advocacy services to facilitate the work of the Mental Health Review Board and the official visitors. 8. Chief Psychiatrist Division 2 The Chief Psychiatrist References in this Act to the Chief Psychiatrist are to the person appointed as such under section 6 (1) (d) of the Health Legislation Administration Act 1984. 9. Responsibilities of Chief Psychiatrist for psychiatric care (1) The Chief Psychiatrist has responsibility for the medical care and welfare of all involuntary patients. (2) In respect of other patients, the Chief Psychiatrist is required to monitor the standards of psychiatric care provided throughout the State. 10. Other functions of Chief Psychiatrist The other functions of the Chief Psychiatrist are (a) to assist the Commissioner to prepare, keep under review, and carry out, a strategic plan for the administration of mental health services for the State; (b) to keep (i) a register of authorized hospitals; (ii) a register of authorized medical practitioners; and page 8

Administrative provisions Part 2 The Chief Psychiatrist Division 2 s. 11 (c) (d) (e) (iii) a register of authorized mental health practitioners; in relation to medication used in psychiatry, to ensure that there is an appropriate system in place for (i) the maintenance of satisfactory standards; and (ii) the provision of information to medical practitioners about new developments including new information about adverse drug reactions; to report to the Mental Health Review Board on matters concerning the medical care or welfare of involuntary patients; and to advise the Commissioner of recommendations that the Chief Psychiatrist considers it would be appropriate for the Commissioner to make to the Minister. 11. Chief Psychiatrist subject to Commissioner In performing his or her functions the Chief Psychiatrist is subject to the general direction and control of the Commissioner. 12. Directions as to treatment (1) The Chief Psychiatrist may at any time (a) review any decision of a psychiatrist as to the treatment of any involuntary patient; and (b) vary or rescind the decision or substitute another decision for it. (2) A psychiatrist is to comply with any instruction given to him or her by the Chief Psychiatrist in exercise of the powers in subsection (1). (3) Nothing in this section (a) limits the operation of Part 5; or page 9

Part 2 Administrative provisions Division 2 The Chief Psychiatrist s. 13 (b) takes away from any requirement under that Part or any other law for the obtaining of a person s consent to treatment. 13. Powers of inspection (1) The powers in this section may be exercised (a) in respect of relevant premises that are not an authorized hospital, only if the Chief Psychiatrist believes on reasonable grounds that proper standards of care or treatment are not being, or have not been, observed in a psychiatric health service carried on in those premises; and (b) in respect of any relevant premises that are an authorized hospital, as the Chief Psychiatrist thinks appropriate. (2) Subject to subsection (1), the Chief Psychiatrist may at any time visit any relevant premises whether or not notice of the visit has been given. (3) In the course of a visit the Chief Psychiatrist may, subject to subsection (4) (a) inspect any part of the relevant premises; (b) interview any person who is in the relevant premises for care or treatment; (c) require persons on the relevant premises to answer questions relating to the care or treatment of persons at the premises; (d) require the production of and inspect any medical record or other document relating to persons who are or have been receiving care or treatment at the relevant premises; and (e) take copies of or extracts from any such record or document. page 10

Administrative provisions Part 2 The Chief Psychiatrist Division 2 s. 14 (4) The powers in subsection (3) (b), (c), (d) and (e) may be exercised (a) in relation to an involuntary patient, without restriction; but (b) in relation to any other person, only with the person s consent. (5) A person having any official capacity at the relevant premises is to (a) afford any assistance that may be requested for the purpose of exercising a power under this section; and (b) answer any question that may be asked under this section by the Chief Psychiatrist. (6) In this section psychiatric health service means any health service that provides specialized psychiatric care or treatment to persons suffering from mental illness and does so either as its sole activity or as a significant part of its activities; relevant premises means premises that are used for carrying on a psychiatric health service. 14. Offences (1) A person must not (a) fail without reasonable excuse, proof of which lies upon that person (i) to answer any question; or (ii) to produce any document, as required under section 13 (3); (b) in answer to any question asked under section 13 (3), give any answer or other information knowing it to be false or misleading in a material particular; page 11

Part 2 Administrative provisions Division 2 The Chief Psychiatrist s. 15 (c) fail without reasonable excuse (proof of which lies upon that person) to give any assistance as required under section 13 (5); or (d) obstruct or hinder a person carrying out a function under section 13. Penalty: $2 000. (2) A person is not excused from answering any question, or from producing any document, as required under section 13 (3) on the ground that the answer to a question or the contents of a document might tend to incriminate the person or render the person liable to a penalty. (3) However, the answer or the fact that the document or the thing was produced is not admissible in evidence against the person in any civil or criminal proceedings other than proceedings for perjury or for an offence under this section arising out of the false or misleading nature of the answer. 15. Chief Psychiatrist may order that patient be allowed to be visited The Chief Psychiatrist may, in writing, direct the person in charge of any place where a patient is detained to allow a person specified in the direction to visit the patient, subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the direction. 16. Delegation by Chief Psychiatrist The Chief Psychiatrist may, by a signed instrument of delegation, delegate to another psychiatrist in the department, either generally or as otherwise provided in the instrument, any function under this Act, other than this power of delegation. page 12

Administrative provisions Part 2 Psychiatrists and authorized practitioners Division 3 s. 17 Division 3 Psychiatrists and authorized practitioners 17. Register of psychiatrists (1) The Medical Board appointed under the Medical Act 1894 is to prepare and maintain, for the purposes of this Act, a register of psychiatrists. (2) The register is to contain the names of every medical practitioner practising in the State who (a) has made a special study of, or who has gained and maintained special skill in the practice of, psychiatry; and (b) is recognized by the Medical Board as a specialist in psychiatry. (3) Where the Medical Board is of the opinion that a medical practitioner whose name is contained in the register has ceased to be a specialist in psychiatry, the Board is to remove his or her name from that register. 18. Authorized medical practitioners (1) The Chief Psychiatrist may, by order published in the Gazette (a) designate any medical practitioner as an authorized medical practitioner for the purposes of section 77; and (b) revoke a person s designation as an authorized medical practitioner. (2) The Chief Psychiatrist is not to designate a medical practitioner under subsection (1) unless he or she is satisfied that the practitioner has the skills and experience necessary for the effective performance of the functions of an authorized medical practitioner under section 77. page 13

Part 2 Administrative provisions Division 3 Psychiatrists and authorized practitioners s. 19 19. Mental health practitioners (1) For the purposes of this Act a person is a mental health practitioner if he or she is (a) a psychologist; (b) a person registered as (i) a nurse under the Nurses Act 1992; or (ii) an occupational therapist under the Occupational Therapists Registration Act 1980; or (c) a person with another recognized qualification, and has at least 3 years experience in the management of persons who have mental illnesses. (2) The Chief Psychiatrist may from time to time determine that (a) a degree awarded by an Australian university upon the completion of a course in social work; or (b) another qualification considered by the Chief Psychiatrist to be at least equivalent to a degree described in paragraph (a), is a recognized qualification for the purposes of subsection (1) (c). (3) The Chief Psychiatrist may revoke or amend a determination under subsection (2). page 14

Administrative provisions Part 2 Psychiatrists and authorized practitioners Division 3 s. 20 20. Authorized mental health practitioners (1) The Chief Psychiatrist may, by order published in the Gazette (a) designate as an authorized mental health practitioner any mental health practitioner who in the opinion of the Chief Psychiatrist has qualifications, training and experience appropriate for the performance of the functions vested in an authorized mental health practitioner by sections 29 and 63; (b) revoke any such designation. (2) An order under subsection (1) may specify limits within which the person may perform the functions vested in a mental health practitioner by sections 29 and 63. (3) The Chief Psychiatrist may, by order published in the Gazette, vary any limits specified under subsection (2). (4) The regulations may make provision as to (a) qualifications, training, and experience that the Chief Psychiatrist is to regard as appropriate for the purposes of subsection (1) (a); (b) the performance by authorized mental health practitioners of their functions; (c) any notifications required to be given by authorized mental health practitioners to the Chief Psychiatrist; and (d) grounds on which a person s designation as an authorized mental health practitioner may be revoked. page 15

Part 2 Administrative provisions Division 4 Authorized hospitals s. 21 Division 4 Authorized hospitals 21. Authorization of hospitals (1) The Governor may by order published in the Gazette (a) authorize a public hospital, or part of a public hospital, for (i) the reception of persons; and (ii) the admission of persons as involuntary patients, under this Act; and (b) revoke or amend an order so made. (2) If a place ceases to be an authorized hospital because an order is revoked, every person received into, or admitted as an involuntary patient to, the authorized hospital is to be transferred in accordance with the regulations to another authorized hospital. Division 5 The Registrar 22. Registrar and staff of Board There are to be appointed under and subject to Part 3 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (a) a Registrar of the Mental Health Review Board; and (b) such other officers as are necessary to assist with the performance of the Registrar s functions under this Act. 23. President may give Registrar directions The President may from time to time give directions to the Registrar with respect to the performance of any of the Registrar s functions under this Act, either generally or with respect to a particular matter, and the Registrar is to give effect to any such direction. page 16

Administrative provisions Part 2 The Registrar Division 5 s. 24 24. Functions of Registrar Without limiting any other function given or delegated to the Registrar under this Act, it is the function of the Registrar (a) to keep, in accordance with the regulations, particulars of every involuntary patient; (b) to ensure that any review required by this Act to be carried out in respect of a person by the Board is brought before the Board at an appropriate time; (c) to receive any notice, report, or other thing that is to be given to the Board and arrange for it to be dealt with as soon as is practicable; (d) to ensure that any notice, report, or other thing that is to be given by the Board is given in accordance with this Act and as soon as is practicable; (e) to keep a record of applications made to, and notices given to or by, the Board; (f) to cause to be made, and keep, accurate minutes of proceedings at meetings of the Board; (g) to keep a record of decisions of the Board and keep copies of the reasons given for those decisions; and (h) generally to be the executive officer of the Board. 25. Delegation to Registrar The Board may delegate to the Registrar, either generally or as otherwise provided in the delegation, any function under this Act that the regulations provide may be delegated under this subsection, other than this power of delegation. page 17

Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 1 Becoming an involuntary patient s. 26 Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 1 Becoming an involuntary patient Subdivision 1 Criteria 26. Persons who should be involuntary patients (1) A person should be an involuntary patient only if (a) the person has a mental illness requiring treatment; (b) the treatment can be provided through detention in an authorized hospital or through a community treatment order and is required to be so provided in order (i) to protect the health or safety of that person or any other person; (ii) to protect the person from self-inflicted harm of a kind described in subsection (2); or (iii) to prevent the person doing serious damage to any property; (c) the person has refused or, due to the nature of the mental illness, is unable to consent to the treatment; and (d) the treatment cannot be adequately provided in a way that would involve less restriction of the freedom of choice and movement of the person than would result from the person being an involuntary patient. (2) The kinds of self-inflicted harm from which a person may be protected by making the person an involuntary patient are (a) serious financial harm; (b) lasting or irreparable harm to any important personal relationship resulting from damage to the reputation of the person among those with whom the person has such relationships; and (c) serious damage to the reputation of the person. page 18

Involuntary patients Part 3 Becoming an involuntary patient Division 1 s. 27 27. Application to mentally impaired defendants (1) Despite section 26, a person is not to be made an involuntary patient at any time after a custody order is made under the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Defendants) Act 1996 and before the person is released by the Governor under that Act. (2) However, a mentally impaired defendant who under that Act is released by the Governor on conditions may be made an involuntary patient. 28. Definition Subdivision 2 Referral for examination In this Subdivision referrer means a medical practitioner or an authorized mental health practitioner who refers a person under section 29. 29. Referral for examination by a psychiatrist (1) Subject to section 194, a medical practitioner or an authorized mental health practitioner who suspects on reasonable grounds that a person should be made an involuntary patient may refer the person for examination by a psychiatrist. (2) The referral is to be for examination either (a) in an authorized hospital; or (b) at some other place where to the knowledge of the referrer the examination can be carried out, as determined by the referrer. 30. Referral of voluntary patients in certain circumstances (1) The application of section 29 extends to a case where a person who is a patient at an authorized hospital, other than an involuntary patient or a mentally impaired defendant, seeks to page 19

Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 1 Becoming an involuntary patient s. 31 be discharged from the hospital and a psychiatrist is not available to examine the person. (2) Despite section 29, the referral may only be made for examination in the hospital in which the person is a patient. (3) If a senior mental health practitioner suspects on reasonable grounds that the person should be examined for the purposes of section 29 he or she may in writing order that the person be detained at the hospital for up to 6 hours from the time when the person seeks to be discharged. (4) Section 36 does not apply when a person is referred by operation of this section. (5) Section 37 applies when a person is referred by operation of this section as if (a) in subsection (1) the passage received into an authorized hospital under section 36 were omitted; and (b) in subsection (2) the words after the person was received into the hospital were replaced by the words from the time when the referral was made. (6) An examination following a referral to which this section applies is not to be made by the psychiatrist who is the treating psychiatrist of the person at the time of the referral. 31. No referral without personal examination (1) A referrer is not to refer a person under section 29 without having first personally examined the person for the purpose of forming an opinion as to whether it is suspected that the person should be made an involuntary patient. (2) However, facts communicated to the referrer, although not of themselves sufficient grounds for suspecting that a person should be made an involuntary patient, may be considered in forming the opinion. page 20

Involuntary patients Part 3 Becoming an involuntary patient Division 1 s. 32 32. Time limit A referrer is not to refer a person under section 29 if a period of more than 48 hours has elapsed since the referrer personally examined the person. 33. Form of referral A referral is to be in writing and is to (a) specify the day and time when the referral was made; (b) specify the day and time when the person referred was personally examined as required by section 31; (c) certify that, having regard to section 26, the referrer suspects that the person should be made an involuntary patient; (d) specify (i) the authorized hospital; or (ii) the other place, at which the person referred is to be examined by a psychiatrist; (e) specify the facts on the basis of which it is suspected that the person should be made an involuntary patient; and (f) distinguish from the facts known because of personal observation by the referrer, any of the facts which have been communicated to the referrer. 34. Police assistance (1) If the person is not in police custody the referrer may make a written order ( a transport order ) authorizing a police officer to (a) apprehend the person; and (b) take him or her to the examination. page 21

Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 1 Becoming an involuntary patient s. 35 (2) A transport order is not to be made unless (a) the condition of the person is such that assistance is required to take the person to the examination and no suitable alternative is available; and (b) not more than 7 days have elapsed since the referral was made. (3) A transport order is to specify the day and time when it was made. 35. Operation of transport order (1) A person apprehended under a transport order is to be taken to the authorized hospital or other place specified in the referral as soon as is practicable but in any event before the order lapses under subsection (3). (2) The person may be detained under a transport order (a) until the order lapses; or (b) until the person is received into an authorized hospital under section 36, whichever is first. (3) A transport order lapses (a) on the expiry of the relevant period after it was made; or (b) at the end of the 7th day after the referral was made, whichever is sooner, regardless of whether or not the person has been taken to the examination or has been apprehended. (4) The relevant period for the purposes of subsection (3) is (a) where section 29 (2) (a) applies, 72 hours; and (b) where section 29 (2) (b) applies, 24 hours. page 22

Involuntary patients Part 3 Becoming an involuntary patient Division 1 s. 36 Subdivision 3 Examination in an authorized hospital 36. Detention for examination (1) A person who is referred under section 29 for examination by a psychiatrist in an authorized hospital (a) is to be received into the hospital; and (b) may be detained there for up to 24 hours from the time of reception. (2) A person is not to be so received if more than 7 days have elapsed since the referral was made. (3) Being received into an authorized hospital under this section is not admission to the hospital for the purposes of this Act. (4) If the person has not been examined by a psychiatrist within the period specified in subsection (1) (b), the person may not be detained any longer. 37. Choices upon examination (1) A psychiatrist who examines a person received into an authorized hospital under section 36 may (a) make an order under section 43; (b) order that the person s detention continue for further assessment of whether an order should be made under section 43; or (c) decide not to make an order under this Act. (2) An order under subsection (1) (b) is to specify the day and time when it was made and the end of the period during which the person may be detained, which is to be not later than 72 hours after the person was received into the hospital. (3) An order under subsection (1) (b) authorizes the detention of the person in respect of whom it is made (a) until the end of the period specified in the order; or page 23

Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 1 Becoming an involuntary patient s. 38 (b) until a psychiatrist who has examined the person since the order was made either makes, or decides not to make, another order in respect of the person under this Act, whichever is first. Subdivision 4 Examination otherwise than in an authorized hospital 38. Time limit An examination is not to be made by a psychiatrist for the purposes of a referral under section 29 (2) (b) if more than 7 days have elapsed since the referral was made. 39. Choices upon examination (1) A psychiatrist who examines a person for the purposes of a referral under section 29 (2) (b) may order that the person be received into, and detained in, an authorized hospital for assessment of whether an order should be made under section 43. (2) An order under subsection (1) is to specify the day and time when it is made. 40. Reception into hospital (1) A person in respect of whom an order is made under section 39 is to be received into the authorized hospital and may be detained there for (a) 72 hours after the time of reception; or (b) until a psychiatrist who has examined the person since the order was made either makes, or decides not to make, another order in respect of the person under this Act, whichever is first. page 24

Involuntary patients Part 3 Becoming an involuntary patient Division 1 s. 41 (2) A person is not to be so received if more than 7 days have elapsed since the referral was made under section 29 (2) (b). (3) Being received into an authorized hospital under this section is not admission to the hospital for the purposes of this Act. (4) If the person has not been examined by a psychiatrist within the period specified in subsection (1) (a), the person may not be detained any longer. 41. Police assistance (1) A psychiatrist who orders that a person who is not in police custody be received under section 39 into an authorized hospital may make a written order ( a transport order ) authorizing a police officer to (a) apprehend the person; and (b) take the person to the authorized hospital. (2) A transport order is not to be made unless the condition of the person is such that assistance is required to take the person to the hospital and no suitable alternative is available. (3) A transport order is to specify the day and time when it was made. 42. Operation of transport order (1) A person apprehended under a transport order is to be taken to the authorized hospital as soon as is practicable. (2) The person may be detained under the transport order (a) until the order lapses; or (b) until the person is received into an authorized hospital under section 40 (1), whichever is first. (3) A transport order lapses 72 hours after it is made. page 25

Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 1 Becoming an involuntary patient s. 43 Subdivision 5 Involuntary status 43. Order giving involuntary status (1) This section applies where a psychiatrist examines a person who (a) has been received into an authorized hospital under section 36 or 40 (whether or not section 37 (1) (b) applies); (b) has been referred by operation of section 30; or (c) is required to be examined under section 56. (2) The psychiatrist may if he or she believes that, having regard to section 26, the person should be made an involuntary patient, either (a) order in writing that the person (i) be detained in an authorized hospital as an involuntary patient; and (ii) be admitted for that purpose; or (b) make a community treatment order in respect of the person. (3) Subsection (2) has effect subject to sections 65 and 66. (4) An order in respect of a person referred for examination under section 29 can be made under this section only if it is made before the end of the 7th day after the referral was made. 44. Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board to be notified in certain cases If an order is made under section 43 in respect of a mentally impaired defendant who has been released by the Governor on conditions under the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Defendants) Act 1996, the person making the order must as page 26

Involuntary patients Part 3 Detention in authorized hospital Division 2 s. 45 soon as is practicable give a copy of the order to the secretary of the Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board. Division 2 Detention in authorized hospital Subdivision 1 Place of detention 45. Hospital in which a person is to be detained An order that a person be received into or admitted to an authorized hospital and detained there authorizes (a) the reception of the person into or his or her admission to any authorized hospital that a psychiatrist considers to be suitable; and (b) the detention of the person at that hospital. 46. Transfer At any time while a person is detained in an authorized hospital (a) under section 36 (1), 37 (1) (b) or 40 (1); or (b) as an involuntary patient, a psychiatrist may order that the person be transferred to another authorized hospital specified in the order. 47. Person in charge of hospital may decline to accept (1) Where an order has been made that a person be received into, admitted to, or transferred to a specified hospital, the person in charge of the hospital may decline to accept the person if the facilities then available at the hospital are insufficient or inappropriate for accommodating or treating the person. (2) Where that happens, the person may be received into, admitted to, or transferred to another authorized hospital. page 27

Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 2 Detention in authorized hospital s. 48 48. Initial period Subdivision 2 Period of detention (1) An order under section 43 (2) (a) or 70 (1) authorizes the detention of the person for a period ending on a day specified in the order. (2) The day must be not later than the 28th day after the order is made. (3) The order authorizes the detention of the person until (a) the end of the day specified in the order; (b) it is ordered that the person is no longer an involuntary patient; or (c) the person becomes the subject of a community treatment order, whichever is first. 49. Examination within 28 days (1) The treating psychiatrist is to ensure that an involuntary patient is again examined by a psychiatrist before the end of the period of detention specified under section 48. (2) If on examining the person, and having regard to section 26, the psychiatrist does not believe that the person should continue to be an involuntary patient, the psychiatrist is to immediately order that the person is no longer an involuntary patient. (3) If on examining the person, and having regard to section 26, the psychiatrist believes that the person should continue to be an involuntary patient, the psychiatrist may either (a) order that the person continue to be detained as an involuntary patient for a further period ending on a day specified in the order; or page 28

Involuntary patients Part 3 Detention in authorized hospital Division 2 s. 50 (b) make a community treatment order in respect of the person. (4) A period specified under subsection (3) (a) cannot end more than 6 months after the order is made. 50. Subsequent examinations within 6 months (1) The treating psychiatrist is to ensure that an involuntary patient who is detained is again examined by a psychiatrist before the end of the period of detention specified under section 49 (3) (a). (2) The powers in section 49 (2) and (3) are also exercisable on the occasion of that examination. (3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply in respect of each successive period of detention so as to ensure that (a) the patient is again examined before the end of each such successive period; and (b) the powers in section 49 (2) and (3) are exercisable on each occasion. 51. Effect of order continuing detention An order under section 49 (3) or 50 (2) that a person continue to be detained as an involuntary patient authorizes the detention of the person in an authorized hospital until (a) the end of the day specified in the order; (b) it is ordered that the person is no longer an involuntary patient; or (c) the person becomes the subject of a community treatment order, whichever is first. page 29

Part 3 Involuntary patients Division 2 Detention in authorized hospital s. 52 52. Order for release may be made at any time 53. Saving At any time while a person is detained as an involuntary patient in an authorized hospital, a psychiatrist may (a) if the psychiatrist believes, having regard to section 26, that the person should not continue to be an involuntary patient, order that the person is no longer an involuntary patient; or (b) make a community treatment order in respect of the person. This Subdivision has effect subject to section 25 of the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Defendants) Act 1996. Subdivision 3 Release from detention 54. Release when period of detention ends When a period of detention of a person under this Act in an authorized hospital ends the person (a) is to be informed in writing of that fact as soon as is practicable after the period ends; and (b) unless the person is further detained in the hospital under this Act, is to be permitted to leave the hospital. 55. When person to be returned to custody Where (a) this Act requires that a person be permitted to leave an authorized hospital at the end of that person s detention; and (b) at the time when the person is to leave the hospital the person is subject to an order under a law of the State or the Commonwealth requiring that he or she be kept in custody, page 30